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EncyclopediaAssad, Bashar al-Assad, Bashar al- (bäshär' äl-äs'säd) [key], 1965–, Syrian political leader, son of Hafez al-Assad. A medical doctor, he left Syria (1992) for an ophthamology residency in London when his elder brother, Basil, his father's designated heir, was killed (1994) in an automobile accident. Assad returned to Syria and was groomed as his father's successor, attending the Homs military academy and attaining (1999) the rank of colonel. Upon the his father's death (2000), he was named head of the ruling Ba'ath party and was nominated as president; he was confirmed in the office by referendum (2000, 2005). Assad has attempted to modernize Syria and its army, making some moves toward lessening corruption and improving the economy, but he also maintained a tight hold on power and sought to maintain Syria's domination over Lebanon. The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2007, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved. More on Bashar al- Assad from Infoplease:
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